Advertising display clock



Feb. 19, 1952 c. GABRIELSEN ADVERTISING DISLAY CLOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 4, 1948 IN V EN T 0R. CHE/S T/m/ 6452/5455 14 TTOEA/EY Feb. 19, 1952 c. GABRIELSEN ADVERTISING DISLAY CLOCK SSheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1948 INVENTOR. CHE/$774M Ga e/n55 76 y S QTTOIQA/EY Feb. 19, 1952 c. GABRIELSEN ADVERTISING DISLAY CLOCK Filed Feb. 4. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. CHE/STIR GflBE/ELSEU HTTOEWEY Patented Feb. I9, 1952 ADVERTISING DISPLAY CLOCK Christian Gabrielsen, Whippany, N. J., assignor to Rowe Manufacturing 00., Inc., Whippany, N. J., a corporation of New York.

Application February 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,260

2 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in advertising display clocks and more particularly to an advertising display clock adapted to be used in combination with a mirror to produce an eyeattracting arrangement in which an advertising display is animated from the clockwork in a simple, convenient, expeditious and improved manner.

It has frequently been suggested by the prior art to associate an animated advertising display With clockwork in which the display is moved or otherwise animated from-the clock mechanism. Inasmuch as the area available for display purposes is limited, the display soon becomes stale and loses its appeal. No ready means are provided enabling the display to be changed in a simple, convenient and expeditious manner.

In view of the fact that the clock dial must be stationary while the display is to be animated, the method of moving the display has been cumbersome and inconvenient. It has been necessary to place the clock dial and the display in differentfocal planes so that an observer looking at the clock to ascertain the time must make some effort to look at the display. Then, too, in the prior art, the arrangement has been such that the displays presented litle appeal to the eye and didnot arouse such curiosity as to hold the attention of an observer.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved advertising display clock in which the advertising display may be simply, conveniently and expeditiously changed.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction for moving the display, in which the display is driven from the prime mover driving the clock.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved advertising display clock in which the clock dial and the display are located in substantially the same focalplane so that an observer may view the display without additional effort.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved advertising display clock in which a mirror surface is provided with a plurality of openings, one of which is provided for aview of the clock hands and the other of which is provided for viewing the advertising display.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved advertising display clock assembly in which a mirror provided with suitable desilvered transparent portions, is employed in which the numerals for the clock are carried by one of the transparent portions.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide a simple method of driving a rotating disc bearing advertising matter from a prime mover which also drives clockwork in such a :manner that the advertising display will rotate sufiiciently rapidly to attract the eye of an observer.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved advertising display clock assembly in which the construction is such that the ad vertising display may be simply, conveniently and rapidly replaced. 7

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general, my invention contemplates provision for a mirror having a circular clear or unsilvered portion, together with a plurality of angularly and radially displaced sectors of clear or transparent character. The clock numerals are disposed about the circular clear portion of the mirror. Mounted directly behind the mirror is a clockwork driven by any suitable prime mover, preferably a synchronous electric motor. The hands of the clock and a circular display disc are mounted behind the mirror so that the clock hands may be seen through the central transparent portion while advertising matter is moved into view through. the sectional clear portions. The advertising matter is printed upon an annular'disc of paper or other flexible material, which disc is so constructed as to permit ready insertion into the retaining means carried by a rotating disc mounted behind the clock hands. The rotating disc may be made of sheet metal or the like and is provided with a peripheral flange for retaining the advertising annular disc. The clockwork assembly is privotally carried behind the'mirror in such a manner that it may be dropped downwardly to give'ready access to the annular disc so that this may be removed and replaced from time to time. The annular disc is of larger diameter than the clock face.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 7

Figure 1 is a perspective diagrammatic 'view with parts broken away showing the prime mover, the clockwork gear train and the gear train for driving the display disc.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of my advertising display. clock-assembly showing the mirror with thecentral circular transparent portion and two transparentsectors displaced angularly andra- 3 dially from each other and showing the disposition of the clock numerals and the relationship of the advertising display disc to the transparent sectors.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the manner of removing and replacing the annular advertising disc in the display disc.

Figure 5 is an elevation of another form of annular advertising disc for use in my invention.

More particularly referring now to the drawings, a synchronous electric motor 6 is adapted to rotate a motor shaft 8 in a clockwise direction carrying a pinion 10. The pinion meshes with a gear l2 carried by a shaft M to which a pinion l6 issecured for rotation therewith in a counterclockwise direction. The pinion l6 meshes with both gear (8 and gear 20 driving both gears l8 and 20 in a clockwise direction. Gear I8 is secured to shaft 22 so as to rotate this shaft in a clockwise direction. Secured to the shaft 22 I provide a gear 24 which meshes with a gear 26, to rotate the gear 26 in a counterclockwise direction. The gear 28 is provided with a boss 28 on which the display disc 30 is mounted so that rotation of gear 26 will rotate the disc 30. Gear 26 is loosely mounted upon a bushing 32 which is carried around a sleeve 34 to which the hour hand 36 of the clock is secured. Thus, it will be seen that the disc 36 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The gear ratios are such that the disc 30 will be rotated at a speed of about eight to nine revolutions per minute.

'lhe gear 2c is attached to a shaft 38 to rotate it with the gear 20 in a clockwise direction. A pinion 4;! is secured to the. shaft 38 for rotation therewith and meshes with a gear 42 driving it in a counterclockwise direction. The gear 42 is carried by a shaft 44 to which a pinion 4B is secured for rotation therewith so that the pinion 46 rotating in a counterclockwise direction meshes with. the gear 48 and drives it in a clockwise direction. The gear 48 is secured to a shaft 50 which carries the minute hand 52 of the clock in a clockwise direction at a speed of. one revolution. per hour.

The gear 54 is secured to the shaft 50 for rotation therewith in a clockwise direction and meshes with a gear 56 driving it in a counter-. clockwise direction. The gear 56 is carried by a shaft 58 to which a pinion 60v is secured. The pinion 6B meshes with a gear 62 driving it in a clockwise direction. The gear 62 is secured to. and

carried by the bushing 34 housed around the shaft 50. This bushing, which carries the hour hand, makes one rotation in twelve hours.

It will be seen, therefore, that we have provided an arrangement in which the hour and minute hands are driven at the correct speeds and in the correct direction while the display disc is driven in a counterclockwise direction at a speed 8 to 9 times as fast as a second hand would travel if one were provided. This provides sufficient animation to attract the eye and thus augment the advertising function served by the assembly.

The display disc 30 may be made of sheet metal, such as aluminum or the like. It is provided with cupped portion 64, the radius of which is slightly greater than the radius of the minute hand 52. The surface 64 may be painted white, yellow or with some other highly visible color to furnish a background against which the clock hands 52 can easily be seen. An annular flange portion 66 is provided extending from the outer periphery of the cup portion 64 to the terminal flange 68 of the disc. The terminal flange 58 provides a peripheral recess in which the outer edge of an annular flexible disc 10 made of paper, cardboard or the like, may be lodged, which annular disc bears any desired advertising display disposed along an outer circle and an inner circle. Display matter may be viewed through one of the transparent sector portions formed in the mirror as will be described hereinafter more fully.

The display annular disc 10 may be formed adjacentv a portion of its periphery with a reentrant sector 12 as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 4. The paper disc being flexible can be gathered as shown in Figure 4 in the area of the reentrant sector enabling the disc to be removed from underneath the overhanging flange 68. The disc 10 shown in Figure 5 is provided with a radial slit 14 which enables the external periphery of the annular disc 10 in this form of the invention to be made smaller in radius so that it may be removed clear of the overhanging portion of flange. 68..

In this manner, annular discs bearing advertising display matter may be readily inserted into and removed from the rotating disc 30.

Referring now to- Figures 2 and 3, the display is associated with a mirror 16 provided with a circular transparent portion 18, an elongated sector 36 of transparent character positioned. above the circular portionv I8. I provide a second window or transparent portion 82 of segmental shape positioned radially outwardly from segment and angularly displosed therefrom as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 2. The segments are formed by removing the silvering 84 from the back of the mirror as can be observed by reference to Figure 3. The, mirror is carried by a frame 86 to which is secured av bracket 88. A supporting framework 98 is hingedly secured to the bracket 88 by means of a pin 92. The frame 86 carries an upper bracket 94 to which the upper end of the frame 90 may be secured by butterfly Figure 3. The dotted line position in Figure. 3

shows they position of parts. when, the butterfly nut 96 is released and the frame 92 pivoted backwardly.

The transparent portion 18 of the. mirror I6 bears clock numerals. Hill which may be painted or otherwise placed upon the rear of the glass of the mirror 16 in the area of the circular transparent portion 18.

Referring now to Figures 4 and- 5, it will be seen that the advertising annular display disc carries two sets of indicia. The outer set, indicated by the reference numeral 68, is so disposed that it will be visible through the window 82. The inner set of indicia, indicated by reference numeral H, is so disposed as to be visible through the. window 80. It will be seen further by reference to Figure 3 that the clock hands 36 and 52 are in planes adjacent the plane of the advertising annular disc 10 and that both are visible through windows formed in the same plane surface.

Both the clock surface and the advertising display may be illuminated by laterally spaced incandescent lamps. as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 3. The: lamps furnsh indirect.

light which floods the clock face and the advertising matter.

In use, the mirror and carrying frame. to ather with the pivoted frame 95) carrying the clock motor 6 and its associated display disc 30, may be placed in any desired position where it may be viewed by the public as, for example, on a vending machine in a lavatory, powder room, rest room or the like in a position usually occupied by mirrors. such as to provide an uninterrupted mirror area of suflicient surface to be useful as a mirror. Few persons will pass a mirror without a glance toward it, and this is not limited to the fair sex. We all have in common a certain degree of vanity which makes the appeal of a mirror well known to the advertising art. Motion attracts the eye. The length of the slogan or advertising matter positioned in the display disc is such that only a segment of it is visible once. It rotates sufiiciently fast, however, that the complete slogan can be read in about eight or nine seconds. Furthermore, we have the universal reliance upon time. Clocks are frequently looked at to note the passage of time. There is then combined in one :3

is substantially in the same focal plane t .e

hands of the clock. Adjacent the clock, further more, is the second row of indicia moving downwardly. This profitably can be a display of the merchandise being advertised in attractive colors in a succession of images.

The animation, further, is at such rate that can easily be read yet suificiently fast to generate the effect of movement which is eye arresting. The relative movement of the display disc, it will be noted, is in a direction contrary to the movement of the hands of the clock, generating an impression of a speedy passage of time. This, too, has an appeal since the psychological effect is to increase the apparent speed of the motion. The

motion, however, cannot be too fast since it would prevent reading the display matter.

My invention, therefore, produces an improved advertising di play clock having a distinct appeal. It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided an 1m proved advertising display clock in which the advertising matter may be simply, conveniently and expeditiously changed. I have provided an improved construction for removing the display in which the display is driven from the same prime mover which drives the clockwork mechanism. The hands of the clock and the display matter are located in substantially the same focal plane. Then, I provide a construction in which the clock hands and the advertising display matter are viewed through openings in a mirror in which the openings are formed by desilvered transparent portions. My arrangement is such that the advertising display rotates sufficiently rapidly to attract the eye of an observer, while not so fast that it cannot be conveniently read. I provide an advertising clock display assembly The extent of the mirror is I.

in which the advertisingdisplay may be rapidly replaced.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An advertising display clock including in combination a mirror comprising a sheet of transparent material and a backing of reflecting material, said reflecting material being formed with a plurality of openings to provide a plurality of windows, clock numerals carried by said transparent material adjacent one of said win-- dows, another of said windows having the form of an arcuate segment radially displaced from said first window, clock-work, means for positioning said clock work behind said mirror, clock hands driven by said clock work positioned adjacent said first window, a disc, means for r0tatably mounting said disc, means for rotating said disc from said clock work and advertising material carried by said disc visible only through said arcuate segment, said disc being formed with a cupped portion centrally thereof, said cupped por tion being adapted to be disposed behind said first Window, the surface of said cupped por= toin being coated with a highly visible colored material.

2. An advertising display clock including in combination a mirror comprising a sheet of transparent material and a backing of reflecting material, said reflecting material being formed with a plurality of openings to provide a plurality of windows, clock numerals carried by said transparent material adjacent one of said windows, another of said windows having the form of an arcuate segment radially displaced from said first window, clockwork, means for positioning said clockwork behind said mirror, clock hands driven by said clockwork positioned adjacent said first window, a disc, means for rotatably mounting said disc, means for rotating said disc from said clock work, advertising material carried by said disc visible only through said arcuate segment, said means for positioning said clock work behind said mirror comprises a frame, a supporting member carried by said frame, means for pivoting said supporting member adjacent its lower end and means for readily releasably securing said supporting member adjacent its upper end to said frame.

CHRISTIAN GABRIELSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,135,228 Viner Apr. 13, 1915 1,484,234 Prentiss Feb. 19, 1924 1,651,836 Rangel Dec. 6, 1927 2,040,006 Konig May 5, 1936 2,082,612 Bourquin June 1, 1937 

